And now like any beast of prey,
Wild Robert shrunk from view,
Save when at eve on Bagshot heath
He met his harden'd crew.
With this fierce crew Wild Robert there
On plunder set his mind;
And watch'd and prowl'd the live-long night
To rob and slay mankind.
But God, whose vengeance never sleeps,
Tho' he delays the blow,
Can in a single moment lay
the prosperous villain low.
One night, a fatal night indeed!
Within a neighb'ring wood,
A harmless passenger he robb'd,
And dy'd his hands in blood.
The direful deed perform'd, he went
To shew his golden spoils,
When vengeful justice, unawares,
Surpris'd him in her toils.
Wild Robert seiz'd, at once was known,
(No crape had hid his face)
Imprison'd, try'd, condemn'd to die!
Soon run was Robert's race!
Since short the time the laws allow
To murderers doom'd to die,
How earnest shou'd the suppliant wretch
To Heaven for mercy cry!
But he, alas! no mercy sought,
Tho' summon'd to his fate;
The cart drew near the gallows tree,
Where throng'd spectators wait.
Slow as he pass'd no pious tongué
Pour'd forth a pitying pray'r;
Abhorrence all who saw him felt,
He, horror and despair.
And now the dismal death-bell toll'd,
The fatal chord was hung,
While sudden, deep, and dreadful shrieks,
Burst forth amidst the throng.
Hark! 'tis his mother's voice he hears!
Deep horror shakes his frame;
'Tis rage and fury fills his breast,
Not pity, love, or shame.
"One moment hold!" the mother cries,
"His life one moment spare!
"One kiss, my miserable child,
My Robert once so dear!"
"Hence, cruel mother, hence," he said,
"Oh! deaf to nature's cry;
"Your's is the fault I liv'd abhorr'd,
"And unlamented die.
"You gave me life, but with it gave
"What made that life a curse;
My sins uncurb'd, my mind untaught,
"Soon grew from bad to worse.
"I thought that if I 'scap'd the stroke "Of man's avenging rod,
"All wou'd be well, and I might mock "The vengeful pow'r of God.
"My hands no honest trade were taught, My tongue no pious pray'r, "Uncheck'd I learnt to break the laws, "To pilfer, lie, and swear.
"The Sabbath bell, that toll'd to church,
"to me unheeded rung;
"God's holy name and word I curs'd
"With my blaspheming tongue.
"No mercy now your ruin'd child
"Of heaven can dare implore,
"I mock'd at grace, and now I fear
"My day of grace is o'er.
"Blame not the law which dooms your son;
Compar'd with you 'tis mild;
"'Tis you have sentenc'd me to death,
"To hell have doom'd your child."
He spoke and fixing fast the cord,
Resign'd his guilty breath;
Down at his feet his mother fell,
By conscience struck with death.
Ye parents taught by this sad tale,
Avoid the path she trod;
And teach your sons in early years
The fear and love of God.
So shall their days, tho' doom'd to toil,
With peace and hope be blest;
And Heav'n, when life's short task is o'er, Receive their souls to rest.
HE horses run, the chaises fly,
What noise in every place?
Pray come, my friend, and let us see
The pleasures of a Race.
What numbers now are trudging on!
Observe how quick their pace!
On foot, on horse, in chaise and coach,
All hastening to the Race.
Remark how many huts and booths,
In every part we trace;
For selling brandy, beer, and gin,
To those who see the Race.
What numbers spend their money here,
And health and soul embrace;
And rob their families of bread,
To spend it at the Race.
B 2
That gentleman, so richly dress'd,
Whose well fed horse now neighs;
His fortune spends to train and fit
His nags, to win the Race.
Those farmers' wives, and daughters gay,
Who canter, trot, and pace;
Have rais'd their butter, eggs, and cheese,
To dress, and see the Race.
That poor old wretch, who sprawling lies,
And makes such odd grimace:
She in a barrow carries fruit,
To revel; fair, and Race:
But by ill luck, a one-horse chair,
Which went a swinging pace;
This poor old woman overtook,
As she went to the Race.
The driver saw she try'd in vain,
Her barrow to re-place;
So her and barrow overset,
And press'd towards the Race.
Now apples, nuts, and pears lay strew'd,
A scramble then took place,
Between the idle girls and boys,
Who came to see the Race,
What boy who runs along so fast,
His master disobeys;
All work and duty quite forgot,
So he can see the Race
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